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The book of trades; or, Familiar descriptions of the most useful trades, manufactures, and arts practised in England : and the manner in which the workmen perform their various employments.
(undated, inscribed 1829)

The copperplate printer.,   pp. 38-39 ff.


Page 38


38
THE COPPERPLATE PRINTER.
  THE Copperplate Printer transfers por-
traits, landscapes, and a variety of other
pictures, and writing, from engravings on
copper to paper.  The ink used for this
purpose is a composition made of stones of
peaches and apricots, the bones of sheep,
and ivory, all well burnt; and, as the best
which is used in this business, comes from
Frankfort on the Main, it is known by the
name of Frankfort black. It comes over
in cakes, and being mixed with nut oil,
that has been well boiled, it is ground by
the printer on a marble. The rolling-press
consists of two parts, the body and carriage;
the body has two cheeks, or upright posts
joined at top and bottom by cross pieces,
and placed perpendicularly on a wooden
stand or foot, which sustains the whole
press. From this foot rise four other per-
pendicular pieces, joined also by cross ones;
this is the carriage, and bears a smooth even
plank upon which the engraved plate is
placed.  When the plate is inked, the
great art is in wiping it clean without
taking the ink out of the engraving. Over
the plate is placed the paper, previously
moistened, and the arms of the cross are
then pulled.


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